The Physico-Chemical Properties of Latex and Their Significance in Manufacture

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Abstract
The first physico-chemical property of latex to be discussed is that of viscosity, if latex can be said to have a viscosity. As will be seen later, this property is so important in many manufacturing processes, such as extrusion, dipping, and centrifuging that the fundamentals must be understood. Latex, as is well known, is a suspension of irregularly shaped particles, many pear-shaped, in an aqueous medium which itself contains an appreciable proportion of other dissolved and suspended matter. These particles, according to present ideas, are surrounded by a strong adsorption layer, which influences very considerably the properties of the latex. As a result of its composite structure, latex and more particularly latex compounds have rather interesting properties. From the point of view that latex creams under gravity, that the particle carries an appreciable electric charge, and depends partly on this for its stability, and that the swelling of the actual particle in water is very small, it may be called hydrophobic. On the other hand, in view of its behavior with respect to dehydrating agents, the manner in which it forms aqueous voluminous gels, and more particularly in its reaction to shearing forces, latex may be classed as hydrophilic. Its hydrophilic character is conditioned by the material adsorbed on the surface of the particles and is more pronounced in compounded and treated latices.

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